Portable telephone set

ABSTRACT

A portable telephone set capable of recognizing a call during music replay is disclosed. This portable telephone set comprises talking means and music replay means, and posts a call when receiving the same during music replay by the music replay means. Thus, the call can be recognized during the music replay.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable telephone set, and morespecifically, it relates to a portable telephone set having talkingmeans and music replay means.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In general, a portable telephone set has a plurality of functions inaddition to a communicative function. For example, a well-known portabletelephone set has a function of reproducing/outputting information(including voices and music) and a function of displaying information(texts and images) in addition to a communicative function.

However, the conventional portable telephone set executes only one ofthe functions at a time. When a call is received duringreproduction/output of information, therefore, the portable telephoneset is regarded as busy, to consequently reject the call. In this case,the portable telephone set continuously reproducing/outputting theinformation cannot answer even to an important call. When talking overthe telephone, on the other hand, the user of the portable telephone setcannot listen to music replayed by the same but may be discontented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable telephoneset capable of recognizing a call while replaying music.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portabletelephone set capable of ensuring a communicative function, which is thebasic function, without stopping music replay.

A portable telephone set according to a first aspect of the presentinvention comprises talking means and music replay means. When receivinga call during music replay by the music replay means, the portabletelephone set posts this call. Thus, the call can be recognized duringthe music replay due to the aforementioned structure.

When receiving the call during the music replay by the music replaymeans, the portable telephone set according to the first aspectpreferably superposes a tone posting the call on replayed music in theprocess of the music replay by the music replay means. Thus, the callcan be readily recognized during the music replay due to theaforementioned structure.

The portable telephone set according to the first aspect preferablyfurther comprises telephone number storage means storing telephonenumbers, for superposing the tone posting the call on the replayed musicin the process of the music replay by the music replay means whenreceiving the call from any of the telephone numbers stored in thetelephone number storage means during the music replay. Due to thisstructure, the portable telephone set posts the call only when receivingthe same from any of the stored telephone numbers during music replay.Thus, the user of the portable telephone set can be prevented from anunpleasant disturbance of the music replay caused by an erroneous ornuisance telephone call from a third party.

In this case, further, the portable telephone set preferably performs nocall processing when receiving the call from a telephone whose number isnot stored in the telephone number storage means during the music replayby the music replay means. Thus, the user can keep on listening to themusic with no disturbance by a call from a person not in need oftalking.

Further, the portable telephone set according to the first aspectpreferably further comprises telephone number storage means storingtelephone numbers and call set means selecting/setting a telephonenumber authorized to call among the telephone numbers registered in thetelephone number storage means, for superposing the tone posting thecall on the replayed music in the process of the music replay by themusic replay means when receiving the call from the telephone numberauthorized by the call set means to call during the music replay. Thus,the portable telephone set posts the call only when receiving the samefrom the telephone number selected from the stored telephone numbers andauthorized to call during music replay, whereby the user can beprevented from an unpleasant disturbance of the music replay caused by anuisance telephone call or the like.

When receiving the call from a telephone number not authorized by thecall set means to call during the music replay by the music replaymeans, the portable telephone set preferably performs no callprocessing. Thus, the user can keep on listing to the music with nodisturbance by a call from a person not in need of talking.

The portable telephone set according the first aspect preferably furthercomprises volume control means controlling the volume of the replayedmusic and the volume of the tone posting said call, so that the volumecontrol means reduces the volume of the replayed music with the elapseof time when superposing the tone posting the call on the replayed musicin the process of said music replay. Thus, the call can be more reliablyrecognized during the music replay due to the aforementioned structure.

In this case, the volume control means preferably gradually reduces thevolume of the replayed music with the elapse of time while keeping thevolume of the tone posting the call constant.

The portable telephone set according to the first aspect preferablyfurther comprises volume control means controlling the volume of thereplayed music and the volume of the tone posting the call, so that thevolume control means gradually increases the volume of the tone postingthe call with the elapse of time when superposing the tone posting thecall on the replayed music in the process of the music replay. Thus, thecall can be more reliably recognized during the music replay due to theaforementioned structure.

In this case, the volume control means preferably gradually increasesthe volume of the tone posting the call with the elapse of time whilekeeping the volume of the replayed music constant.

When answering to the call, the portable telephone set according to thefirst aspect may not replay the replayed music while making telephonecommunication through the talking means.

The portable telephone set according to the first aspect preferablyfurther comprises set means setting a call notice mode, for posting thecall at least by vibration when receiving the call during the musicreplay by the music replay means regardless of the call notice mode setby the set means. Thus, the call can be reliably recognized withoutdisturbing music replay/output regardless of the call notice mode set bythe set means.

When the set means sets a notice mode including a sound notice, theportable telephone set according to the first aspect preferably gives nosound notice. In this case, further, the sound notice may include atleast a notice through a speaker of the talking means.

The portable telephone set according to the first aspect preferablyfurther comprises set means setting a call notice mode, and is capableof switching a music priority mode for posting the call at least byvibration when receiving the call during the music replay by the musicreplay means regardless of the call notice mode set by the set means anda set priority mode for posting the call in accordance with the callnotice mode set by the set means when receiving the call during themusic replay by the music replay means.

In this case, the portable telephone set preferably gives no soundnotice in the music priority mode when the set means sets a mode for asound notice. In this case, further, the sound notice may include atleast a notice through a speaker of the talking means.

A portable telephone set according to a second aspect of the presentinvention comprises talking means and music replay means. When makingtelephone communication through the talking means during music replay bythe music replay means, the portable telephone set superposes a talkingvoice of the telephone communication on the replayed music in theprocess of the music replay by the music replay means. Thus, the basiccommunicative function can be ensured without stopping the music replaydue to the aforementioned structure. Consequently, the user of theportable telephone set can be prevented from an unpleasant disturbanceof the music replay caused by the telephone communication.

The portable telephone set according to the second aspect preferablyfurther comprises telephone number storage means storing a telephonenumber, for superposing the talking voice of the telephone communicationon the replayed music in the process of the music replay by the musicreplay means when making the telephone communication with the telephonenumber stored in the telephone number storage means. Due to thisstructure, the portable telephone set makes the telephone communicationonly when receiving the call from the stored telephone number duringmusic replay. Thus, the user of the portable telephone set can beprevented from an unpleasant disturbance of the music replay caused byan erroneous or nuisance telephone call from a third party.

In this case, the volume of the talking voice of the telephonecommunication and the volume of the replayed music in the process of themusic replay are preferably arbitrarily settable. Thus, the volume ofthe talking voice of the telephone communication and the volume of thereplayed music in the process of the music replay can be properly set inresponse to the situation.

In this case, further, the volume of the talking voice of the telephonecommunication and the volume of the replayed music in the process of themusic replay are preferably arbitrarily settable in correspondence tothe telephone number stored in the telephone number storage means.

A portable telephone set according to a third aspect of the presentinvention comprises talking means and music replay means, for replayingmusic corresponding to an interruption call from a third party by themusic replay means when receiving the interruption call during telephonecommunication through the talking means and superposing the replayedmusic on a talking voice of the telephone communication. Thus, the userof the portable telephone set can recognize the interruption call fromthe third party by desired music when making telephone communicationwithout hitting the telephone communication due to the aforementionedstructure.

The portable telephone set according to the third aspect preferablyfurther comprises volume control means controlling the volume of thereplayed music and the volume of the talking voice of the telephonecommunication, so that the volume control means reduces the volume ofthe talking voice of the telephone communication when superposing thereplayed music corresponding to the interruption call on the talkingvoice of the telephone communication. Thus, the interruption call fromthe third party can be more reliably recognized due to theaforementioned structure.

The portable telephone set according to the third aspect preferablyfurther comprises volume control means controlling the volume of thereplayed music and the volume of the talking voice of the telephonecommunication, for superposing the replayed music corresponding to theinterruption call on the talking voice of the telephone communicationwhile reducing the volume of the replayed music by the volume controlmeans during continuation of a connection state between three personsincluding talkers and a waiting person when answering to theinterruption call from the third party. Thus, the talkers can readilyrecognize that the third party is in the connection state.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a portable telephone setaccording to each of first and third embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a voice output control partof the portable telephone set according to each of first to thirdembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the portable telephone setaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a portable telephone setaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a voice output control partof the portable telephone set according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a voice output control partof a portable telephone set according to a modification of the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference tothe drawings.

First Embodiment

A portable telephone set 100 according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Asshown in FIG. 1, the portable telephone set 100 according to the firstembodiment comprises a communication control part 101, a speaker 102, amicrophone 103, an A-D/D-A processing part 104, a key entry part 105, abattery 106, a power supply voltage detection part 107, a display 108, adisplay control part 109, a music information storage part 110, a maincontrol part 111, a headphone terminal 112 and a voice output controlpart 113.

The communication control part 101 has a communication function of awell-known portable telephone, and transmits/receives voice informationand data information between the same and a radio communication networkthrough an antenna. The A-D/D-A processing part 104 A-D converts thevoice (talking voice) of the user of the portable telephone set 100received from the microphone 103 and supplies the same to thecommunication control part 101, while D-A converting voice informationfrom the communication control part 101 and supplying the same to thevoice output control part 113.

The key entry part 105 is formed by ten keys or the like used by theuser for entering a telephone number or an operator guidance. Thebattery 106 is formed by a secondary battery. The power supply voltagedetection part 107 detects the output voltage of the battery 106. Thedisplay control part 109 controls the display 108 formed by an LCD orthe like. The music information storage part 110 can store a pluralityof music information. The voice output control part 113 mixes thetalking voice supplied from the A-D/D-A processing part 104 and replayedmusic with each other and supplies the same to the speaker 102 or theheadphone terminal 112. The main control part 111 controls allcomponents.

The music information storage part 110, which is formed by an externalstorage medium such as a magnetic disk, a smart medium or a multimediacard (MMC), previously stores a plurality of music information bydesired compression processing.

Referring to FIG. 2, the talking voice supplied from the A-D/D-Aprocessing part 104 is supplied to a talking volume adjusting part 203.The replayed music supplied from the A-D/D-A processing part 104 issupplied to a music volume adjusting part 205. A gain control part 201controls the talking volume adjusting part 203 and the music volumeadjusting part 205 to adjust the talking voice and the replayed music toproper volumes in accordance with an instruction from the main controlpart 111. The gain control part 201 corresponds to the “volume controlmeans” of the present invention. The talking voice and the replayedmusic output from the talking volume adjusting part 203 and the musicvolume adjusting part 205 are mixed with each other by a mixer 206 andsupplied to the speaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112.

Operations of a general communicative function in the portable telephoneset 100 according to the first embodiment are now briefly described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the user of the portable telephone set 100 firstenters a desired destination telephone number through the key entry part105. Thus, the main control part 111 instructs the communication controlpart 101 to connect with the entered telephone number. Thus, thecommunication control part 101 connects with a radio public telephonenetwork by well-known radio communication through portable telephones.The radio communication through portable telephones is performed by awell-known technique and hence redundant description is not repeated.

When making telephone communication, the voice of the user is input fromthe microphone 103, A-D converted by the A-D/D-A processing part 104 andsupplied to the main control part 111. The main control part 111 encodesthe digitized voice data by a prescribed voice compression coding systemand supplies the same to the communication control part 101. Thencommunication control part 101 performs well-known communicationmodulation on the encoded voice data and transmits the same to the radiopublic telephone network.

Then the communication control part 101 receives the voice of the otherparty from the radio public telephone network, performs well-knowncommunication demodulation and supplies the voice to the main controlpart 111. The main control part 111 decodes the received voiceinformation to voice data on the basis of the prescribed voicecompression coding system and supplies the voice data to the A-D/D-Aprocessing part 104. The A-D/D-A processing part 104 D-A converts thevoice data and supplies the converted voice data to the talking volumeadjusting part 203 provided in the voice output control part 113 shownin FIG. 2. The voice data is supplied to the speaker 102 or theheadphone terminal 112 through the mixer 206.

In this case, the portable telephone set 100 outputs only the talkingvoice and hence the gain control part 201 outputs an instruction formute processing to the music volume adjusting part 205 to stopoutputting the replayed music.

Operations of a music replay function in the portable telephone set 100according to the first embodiment are now described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the main control part 111 reads a list of thetitles of pieces of music stored in the music information storage part110 and displays the same on the display 108 through the display controlpart 109.

The user selects the title of a desired piece to be replayed from thelist of the titles displayed on the display 108 and enters aninstruction for replaying the piece by the key entry part 105. Theselection of the title and the instruction for replaying the piece areassociated with the ten keys or the like forming the key entry part 105of the portable telephone set 100. Thus, the user can select the titleof the piece and instruct replay of the piece by pressing the ten keyscorresponding to the selection of the title and the instruction forreplay respectively.

The main control part 111 reads desired music information from the musicinformation storage part 110, performs expansion corresponding theretoand thereafter supplies the information to the A-D/D-A processing part104. The music information is D-A converted by the A-D/D-A processingpart 104 and supplied to the voice output control part 113 to besupplied to the music volume adjusting part 205 provided in the voiceoutput control part 113 shown in FIG. 2. The music information issupplied to the speaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112 through themixer 206.

In this case, the portable telephone set 100 outputs only replayed musicand hence the gain control part 201 outputs an instruction for muteprocessing to the talking volume adjusting part 203 to stop outputtingthe talking voice.

During the aforementioned operations of the communicative function orthe music replay function, the power supply voltage detection part 107regularly monitors the output voltage of the battery 106 while supplyinginformation corresponding the output voltage of the battery 106 to themain control part 111. On the basis of the information received from thepower supply voltage detection part 107, the main control part 111visually displays the residual of the battery 106 on the display 108through the display control part 109.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, description is now made on operationsperformed when receiving a telephone call during the operations of themusic replay function in the portable telephone set 100 according to thefirst embodiment.

An instruction for music replay is similar to the above and henceredundant description is not repeated. In this case, the main controlpart 111 reads desired music information from the music informationstorage part 110, performs expansion corresponding thereto andthereafter supplies the same to the A-D/D-A processing part 104. Themusic information is D-A converted by the A-D/D-A processing part 104and supplied to the music volume adjusting part 205 provided in thevoice output control part 113. The music information is supplied to thespeaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112 through the mixer 206. In thiscase, the portable telephone set 100 outputs only replayed music andhence the gain control part 201 outputs an instruction for muteprocessing to the talking volume adjusting part 203 to stop outputtingthe talking voice.

When a call is received from the radio communication network in thisstate, a call signal is supplied to the main control part 111 throughthe communication control part 101.

In order to post the call to the user, the main control part 111 outputsa message indicating the call to the display 108 through the displaycontrol part 109. At the same time, the main control part 111 outputs aring tone such as a beep or a calling tone for posting the call in aprescribed volume from the speaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112through the voice output control part 113. In this case, the ring toneis supplied to the talking volume adjusting part 203 provided in thevoice output control part 113 through the A-D/D-A processing part 104.

The gain control part 201 issues an instruction for music volumeadjustment to the music volume adjusting part 205 to output the replayedmusic in a low volume of a prescribed level. The mixer 206 mixes thereplayed music adjusted to the low volume and the ring tone with eachother and supplies the same to the speaker 102 or the headphone terminal112. Thus, the user can reliably recognize the call also when listeningto the music stored in the music information storage part 110.

While the portable telephone set 100 according to the first embodimentlowers the volume of the replayed music when mixing the replayed musicwith the ring tone, the replayed music may alternatively be mixed withthe ring tone with no change of the volume.

When lowering the volume of the replayed music mixed with the ring tone,mute processing may be so performed as to gradually lower the volume ofthe replayed music with the elapse of time. In this mute processing, thegain control part 201 outputs an instruction for music volume adjustmentto the music volume adjusting part 205 to gradually lower the volume ofthe replayed music.

When mixing the replayed music and the ring tone with each other, thevolume of the call may be gradually increased with the elapse of timewithout lowering the volume of the replayed music. In this processing,the gain control part 201 outputs an instruction to the talking volumeadjusting part 203 to gradually increase the volume of the call with theelapse of time.

When the user answers to the call by manipulating the key entry part 105or the like, telephone communication is established. The talking voiceof the telephone communication is supplied to the mixer 206 through theA-D/D-A processing part 104 and the talking volume adjusting part 203provided in the voice output control part 113. On the other hand, thereplayed music adjusted to a prescribed volume through the A-D/D-Aprocessing part 104 and the music volume adjusting part 205 provided inthe voice output control part 113 is supplied to the mixer 206. Themixer 206 mixes the replayed music adjusted to a low volume and thetalking voice of the telephone communication with each other andsupplies the same to the speaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112.Thus, the user can make telephone communication also when listening tothe music stored in the music information storage part 110.

While the portable telephone set 100 according to the first embodimentlowers the volume of the replayed music and outputs the same insuperposition with the talking voice when the user answers to the call,the gain control part 201 may output an instruction for mute processingto the music volume adjusting part 205 to stop outputting the replayedmusic, in order not to output the music during telephone communication.Further, the overall music replay processing may be stopped.

When the user does not answer to the call, the gain control part 201stops outputting the instruction for music volume adjustment to themusic volume adjusting part 205 so that the replayed music is suppliedto the speaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112 in a general volumethrough the mixer 206.

Second Embodiment

A portable telephone set according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention is now described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In thesecond embodiment, it is assumed that telephone numbers previouslyauthorized to call are registered in a telephone number storage part(memory) 114 shown in FIG. 3 managed by a main control part 111. Thistelephone number storage part (memory) 114 corresponds to the “telephonenumber storage means” of the present invention. Description is now madeon a case of receiving a telephone call during operations of a musicreplay function in the portable telephone set according to the secondembodiment.

An instruction for music replay is similar to the above and henceredundant description is not repeated. The main control part 111 readsdesired music information from a music information storage part 110,performs expansion corresponding thereto and thereafter supplies thesame to an A-D/D-A processing part 104. The music information is D-Aconverted by the A-D/D-A processing part 104 and supplied to a musicvolume adjusting part 205 provided in a voice output control part 113shown in FIG. 2. The music information is supplied to a speaker 102 or aheadphone terminal 112 through a mixer 206. At this time, the portabletelephone set outputs only replayed music and hence a gain control part201 outputs an instruction for mute processing to a talking volumeadjusting part 203 to stop outputting a talking voice.

When receiving a call from a radio communication network in this state,a call signal is supplied to the main control part 111 through acommunication control part 101.

The main control part 111 determines whether or not the call is receivedfrom a telephone number authorized to call stored in the telephonenumber storage part (memory) 114. When the call is received from atelephone number authorized to call stored in the telephone numberstorage part (memory) 114, the main control part 111 outputs a messageindicating the call to a display 108 through a display control part 109in order to post the call to the user of the portable telephone set,similarly to the aforementioned case. At the same time, the main controlpart 111 outputs a ring tone such as a beep or a calling tone forposting the call in a prescribed volume from the speaker 102 or theheadphone terminal 112 through the voice output control part 113.

In this case, the ring tone is supplied to the talking volume adjustingpart 203 provided in the voice output control part 113 through theA-D/D-A processing part 104. The gain control part 201 issues aninstruction for outputting the replayed music in a low volume of aprescribed level to the music volume adjusting part 205. The mixer 206mixes the replayed music adjusted to the low volume and the ring tonewith each other and supplies the same to the speaker 102 or theheadphone terminal 112. Thus, the user can reliably recognize the callfrom a party authorized to call also when listening to the music storedin the music information storage part 110.

While the portable telephone set according to the second embodimentlowers the volume of the replayed music when mixing the same with thering tone, the replayed music may alternatively be mixed with the ringtone with no change of the volume. When lowering the volume of thereplayed music mixed with the ring tone, mute processing may be soperformed as to gradually lower the volume of the replayed music withthe elapse of time. In this mute processing, the gain control part 201outputs an instruction for music volume adjustment to the music volumeadjusting part 205 to gradually lower the volume of the reproducedmusic.

When mixing the replayed music and the ring tone with each other, thevolume of the call may be gradually increased with the elapse of timewithout lowering the volume of the replayed music. In this processing,the gain control part 201 outputs an instruction to the talking volumeadjusting part 203 to gradually increase the volume of the call with theelapse of time.

While the portable telephone set according to the second embodimentauthorizes the telephone numbers stored in the telephone number storagepart (memory) 114 to call, those authorized to call may be selected fromthe telephone numbers stored in the memory for authorizing only callsfrom the selected telephone numbers. In this case, the user reads a listof telephone numbers stored in the telephone number storage part(memory) 114, displays the same on the display 108 through the displaycontrol part 109 and selects those authorized to call from the telephonenumbers displayed on the display 108 by manipulating a key entry part105. The key entry part 105 corresponds to the “call set means” of thepresent invention.

When the user answers to the call by manipulating the key entry part 105or the like, telephone communication is established. The talking voiceof the telephone communication is supplied to the mixer 206 through theA-D/D-A processing part 104 and the talking volume adjusting part 203provided in the voice output control part 113.

On the other hand, the replayed music adjusted to a prescribed volumethrough the A-D/D-A processing part 104 and the music volume adjustingpart 205 provided in the voice output control part 113 is supplied tothe mixer 206. The mixer 206 mixes the replayed music of the low volumeand the talking voice of the telephone communication with each other andsupplies the same to the speaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112.Thus, the user can make telephone communication also when listening tothe music stored in the music information storage part 110.

While the portable telephone set according to the second embodimentlowers the volume of the replayed music and outputs the same insuperposition with the talking voice when the user answers to the call,the gain control part 201 may alternatively output an instruction formute processing to the music volume adjusting part 205 to stopoutputting the replayed music, in order not to output the music duringtelephone communication. Further, the overall music replay processingmay be stopped.

When the user does not answer to the call, the gain control part 201stops outputting the instruction for music volume adjustment to themusic volume adjusting part 205 so that the replayed music is suppliedto the speaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112 in a general volumethrough the mixer 206.

When receiving a call from a telephone number not stored (not authorizedto call) in the telephone number storage part (memory) 114 managed bythe main control part 111, the portable telephone set does not answer tothe call but supplies the replayed music to the speaker 102 or theheadphone terminal 112 in the general volume through the mixer 206. Inother words, the portable telephone set ignores the call from thetelephone number not authorized to call. More specifically, the portabletelephone set keeps on replaying the music without posting the call tothe user by the display on the display 108 and the ring tone (a beep ora calling tone) through the speaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112(without superposing the replayed music with the ring tone). Thus, theuser can keep on listening to the music with no disturbance by a callfrom a person not in need of talking.

While the portable telephone set according to the second embodimentadjusts the volume of the replayed music to a prescribed level whenmixing the talking voice and the replayed music with each other, theuser may adjust the talking voice and the replayed music to arbitraryvolumes. In the second embodiment, further, the user may adjust thetalking voice and the replayed music to arbitrary volumes incorrespondence to each of the telephone numbers authorized to callstored in the telephone number storage part (memory) 114.

Third Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, description is now made on a case ofreceiving an interruption call from a third party during telephonecommunication in a portable telephone set according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that the portabletelephone set according to the third embodiment is set in a statecapable of receiving an interruption call from a third party provided bya common carrier. Th portable telephone set according to the thirdembodiment is similar in structure to the portable telephone set 100according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

At present, the common carrier provides service of hitting telephonecommunication when receiving an interruption call and outputting a shortcalling tone for posting the interruption call to the user of theportable telephone set. In this case, the user is displeased by the hitof the telephone communication and the calling tone offensive to theear.

When the portable telephone set is in the state of telephonecommunication, the talking voice of the party is supplied to an A-D/D-Aprocessing part 104 through a communication control part 101 and a maincontrol part 111. The talking voice of the party is supplied to a mixer206 through the A-D/D-A processing part 104 and a talking volumeadjusting part 203 provided in a voice output control part 113. At thistime, the portable telephone set outputs only the talking voice andhence a gain control part 201 outputs an instruction for mute processingto a music volume adjusting part 205 to stop outputting replayed music.

When receiving an interruption call from a third party in the state oftelephone communication, an interruption call signal is supplied to themain control part 111 through the communication control part 101.

In order to post the interruption call from the third party to the user,the main control part 111 outputs a message indicating the interruptioncall to a display 108 through a display control part 109. At the sametime, the main control part 111 outputs a desired piece of music storedin a music information storage part 110 as an interruption call toneposting the interruption call from the third party in a prescribedvolume from a speaker 102 or a headphone terminal 112 through the voiceoutput control part 113 during continuation of the interruption call.

In this case, the interruption call tone of the piece of music issupplied to a music volume adjusting part 205 provided in the voiceoutput control part 113 through the A-D/D-A processing part 104. Thegain control part 201 issues an instruction for outputting the talkingvoice in a low volume to the talking volume adjusting part 203 so thatthe volume of the talking voice reaches a prescribed level. A mixer 206mixes the talking voice adjusted to the low volume and the interruptioncall tone with each other and supplies the same to the speaker 102 orthe headphone terminal 112. Thus, the user can recognize theinterruption call from the third party through the desired piece ofmusic with neither hit of telephone communication nor calling toneoffensive to the ear.

As to the interruption call tone, the user previously reads a list oftitles of pieces of music stored in the music information storage part110 and displays the same on the display 108 through the display controlpart 109 for selecting the title of a desired piece from the listdisplayed on the display 108 by manipulating a key entry part 105. Whilethe portable telephone set according to the third embodiment lowers thevolume of the talking voice when mixing the talking voice with theinterruption call tone of music, the talking voice may alternatively bemixed with the interruption call tone of music with no change of thevolume.

When the user answers to the interruption call from the third party bymanipulating the key entry part 105 or the like, telephone communicationwith the third party is established and the gain control part 201outputs an instruction for mute processing to the music volume adjustingpart 205 to stop outputting the interruption call tone of music so thatthe main control part 111 does not output the interruption call tone ofmusic.

When the user answers to the interruption call from the third party, theportable telephone set temporarily makes telephone communication betweentwo persons, i.e., the user and the interrupter (third party). In thiscase, however, the portable telephone set is substantially in aconnection state between three persons since the party of the previoustelephone communication stands by. The interruption call tone of musicmay be adjusted to a low volume and superposed with the talking voiceduring continuation of the connection state between the three persons.Thus, the user can readily recognize the connection state between thethree persons.

When the user does not answer to the interruption call from the thirdparty, the gain control part 201 stops outputting the instruction foradjusting the volume of the talking voice to the talking volumeadjusting part 203 so that the talking voice is supplied to the speaker102 or the headphone terminal 112 in a general volume through the mixer206.

While the voice output control part 113 is provided between the A-D/D-Aprocessing part 104 and the speaker 102 and the headphone terminal 112for performing analog processing in each the aforementioned first tothird embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the voice output controlpart 113 can alternatively be provided between the A-D/D-A processingpart 104 and the main control part 111 for performing digitalprocessing, as a matter of course.

Fourth Embodiment

A portable telephone set 300 according to a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Asshown in FIG. 4, the portable telephone set 300 according to the fourthembodiment comprises a communication control part 101, a speaker 102, amicrophone 103, an A-D/D-A processing part 104, a key entry part 105, abattery 106, a power supply voltage detection part 107, a display 108, adisplay control part 109, a music information storage part 110, a maincontrol part 111, a headphone terminal 112 and a voice output controlpart 313, similarly to the portable telephone set 100 according to thefirst embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The communication control part 101,the speaker 102, the microphone 103, the A-D/D-A processing part 104,the key entry part 105, the battery 106, the power supply voltagedetection part 107, the display 108, the display control part 109, themusic information storage part 110, the main control part 111 and theheadphone terminal 112 are similar in structure and function to those ofthe first embodiment.

The portable telephone set 300 according to the fourth embodimentfurther comprises a vibration control part 314 and a vibrator 315,dissimilarly to the first embodiment. The vibration control part 314controls vibration of the vibrator 315 formed by a motor having aneccentric weight or the like on the axis of rotation. A headphone 301 isattachable to the headphone terminal 112.

Referring to FIG. 5, a talking voice supplied from the A-D/D-Aprocessing part 104 is supplied to an input/output terminal 401 a of aspeaker output switching part 401 and an input/output terminal 402 a ofa headphone output switching part 402. Replayed music supplied from theA-D/D-A processing part 104 is supplied to another input/output terminal401 b of the speaker output switching part 401 and another input/outputterminal 402 b of the headphone output switching part 402.

In response to an instruction from the main control part 111, thespeaker output switching part 401 switches the input/output terminal 401a or 401 b to be connected to an output terminal. In response to aninstruction from the main control part 111, the headphone outputswitching part 402 switches the input/output terminal 402 a or 402 b tobe connected to an output terminal.

Thus, the talking voice and the replayed music can be supplied to eitherthe speaker 102 or the headphone terminal 112 in response to theswitching positions of the speaker output switching part 401 and theheadphone output switching part 402. The user of the portable telephoneset 300 sets whether to output the talking voice and the replayed musicfrom the speaker 102 or from the headphone terminal 112 by manipulatingthe key entry part 105.

Operations of a general communicative function in the portable telephoneset 300 according to the fourth embodiment are now briefly described.

Referring to FIG. 4, the user first enters a desired destinationtelephone number from the key entry part 105. Thus, the main controlpart 111 instructs the communication control part 101 to connect withthe entered telephone number. Thus, the communication control part 101connects with a radio public telephone network through well-known radiocommunication processing through portable telephones. The radiocommunication processing through portable telephones is made by awell-known technique and hence redundant description is not repeated.

In telephone communication, the voice of the user of the portabletelephone set 300 is input from the microphone 103, A-D converted by theA-D/D-A processing part 104 and supplied to the main control part 111.The main control part 111 encodes the digitized voice data by aprescribed voice compression coding system and supplies the same to thecommunication control part 101. The communication control part 101performs well-known communication modulation and transmits the voicedata to a the radio public telephone network.

The communication control part 101 receives the voice of the party fromthe radio public telephone network, performs well-known communicationdemodulation and supplies the same to the main control part 111. Themain control part 111 decodes the received voice information to voicedata on the basis of the prescribed voice compression coding system andsupplies the voice data to the A-D/D-A processing part 104. The voicedata is D-A converted by the A-D/D-A processing part 104 and supplied tothe input/output terminals 401 a and 402 a of the speaker outputswitching part 401 and the headphone output switching part 402 providedin the voice output control part 313 shown in FIG. 5.

If the user previously manipulates the key entry part 105 and instructsthe main control part 111 to output the talking voice from the speaker102, the speaker output switching part 401 is connected to theinput/output terminal 401 a. If the user previously manipulates the keyentry part 105 and instructs the main control part 111 to output thetalking voice from the headphone 301, the headphone output switchingpart 402 is connected to the input/output terminal 402 a.

Operations of a music replay function in the portable telephone set 300according to the fourth embodiment are now described.

Referring to FIG. 4, the main control part 111 reads a list of thetitles of pieces of music stored in the music information storage part110 and displays the same on the display 108 through the display controlpart 109.

The user selects the title of a desired piece to be replayed from thelist displayed on the display 108 and enters an instruction forreplaying the piece through the key entry part 105. The selection of thetitle and the instruction for replaying the piece are associated withten keys etc. forming the key entry part 105 of the portable telephoneset 300. Thus, the user can select the title of the piece and instructreplay of the piece by pressing the ten keys corresponding to theselection of the title and the instruction for replay respectively.

The main control part 111 reads desired music information from the musicinformation storage part 110, performs expansion corresponding theretoand thereafter supplies the same to the A-D/D-A processing part 104. Themusic information is D-A converted by the A-D/D-A processing part 104and supplied to the voice output control part 113 to be further suppliedto the input/output terminals 401 b and 402 b of the speaker outputswitching part 313 and the headphone output switching part 402 providedin the voice output control part 313 shown in FIG. 5. The musicinformation is supplied to the speaker 102 or to the headphone 301through the headphone terminal 112 in accordance with an instructionfrom the main control part 111.

If the user previously manipulates the key entry part 105 and instructsthe main control part 111 to replay music through the speaker 102, thespeaker output switching part 401 is connected to the input/outputterminal 401 b. If the user previously manipulates the key entry part105 and instructs the main control part 111 to replay music through theheadphone 301, the headphone output switching part 402 is connected tothe input/output terminal 402 b.

During the aforementioned operations of the communicative function orthe music replay function, the power supply voltage detection part 107regularly monitors the output voltage of the battery 106 while supplyinginformation corresponding the output voltage of the battery 106 to themain control part 111. On the basis of the information received from thepower supply voltage detection part 107, the main control part 111visually displays the residual of the battery 106 on the display 108through the display control part 109.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, description is now made on operationsin a music priority mode and a set priority mode in a case of receivinga telephone call during the operations of the music replay function inthe portable telephone set 300 according to the fourth embodiment.

The call is posted to the user by a sound notice through the speaker 102or the headphone 301, a vibration notice through the vibrator 315 or asound/vibration notice through combination of the speaker 102 and theheadphone 301. The user sets the mode for the call notice bymanipulating the key entry part 105.

An instruction for music replay is similar to the above and henceredundant description is not repeated. In this case, the main controlpart 111 reads desired music information from the music informationstorage part 110, performs expansion corresponding thereto andthereafter supplies the same to the A-D/D-A processing part 104. Themusic information is D-A converted by the A-D/D-A processing part 104and supplied to the input/output terminals 401 b and 402 b of thespeaker output switching part 401 and the headphone output switchingpart 402 provided in the voice output control part 313.

If the user previously manipulates the key entry part 105 and instructsthe main control part 111 to replay music through the speaker 102, thespeaker output switching part 401 is connected to the input/outputterminal 401 b. If the user previously manipulates the key entry part105 and instructs the main control part 111 to replay music through theheadphone 301, the headphone output switching part 402 is connected tothe input/output terminal 402 b. Thus, the replayed music is supplied tothe headphone 301 through the headphone terminal 112 or to the speaker102.

At this time, the portable telephone set 300 outputs only the replayedmusic and hence the main control part 111 stops outputting the talkingvoice to the A-D/D-A processing part 104.

When receiving a call from the radio communication network in thisstate, a call signal is supplied to the main control part 111 throughthe communication control part 101.

If the set priority mode is selected, the main control part 111 makescontrol to post the call to the user in accordance with this mode. Inother words, the main control part 111 posts the call to the user in amode similar to that in the case of performing no music replay.

If a sound notice through the speaker 102 is selected as the call noticemode, therefore, the main control part 111 supplies sound informationfor posting the call to the voice output control part 313 through theA-D/D-A processing part 104 similarly to the talking voice. The speaker102 stops outputting the replayed music and posts the call to the user.If the headphone 301 outputs the replayed music, the speaker 102 poststhe call by the sound notice while allowing the headphone 301 tocontinue the output.

If the music priority mode is selected, on the other hand, the maincontrol part 111 outputs a drive signal to the vibration control part314 for vibrating the vibrator 315 in order to post the call to the userregardless of the set notice mode. At the same time, the main controlpart 111 outputs a message indicating the call to the display 108through the display control part 109.

Thus, in the music priority mode, the user can reliably recognize thecall also when listening to the music stored in the music informationstorage part 110 with no disturbance of the music replay.

Also when the user sets the sound notice through the key entry part 105,the portable telephone set 300 outputs no sound notice and the user canbe prevented from displeasing those around him by missing the soundnotice output from the speaker 102 during the music replay by theheadphone 301.

The user sets either the music priority mode or the set priority mode bymanipulating the key entry part 105. Thus, the user can freely set themode for posting the call during music replay in response to hispreference. Consequently, the handleability of the portable telephoneset 300 is improved.

While the user manipulates the key entry part 105 for setting whether tooutput the replayed music from the speaker 102 or from the headphone 301in the fourth embodiment, a modification of the fourth embodiment shownin FIG. 6 may alternatively be employed.

In the modification of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, aheadphone detection part 403 detecting attachment of the headphone 301to the headphone terminal 112 is provided in the voice output controlpart 313. Whether to output the replayed music and the talking voicefrom the speaker 102 or from the headphone 301 may be automatically seton the basis of the result of detection by the headphone detection part403.

When the headphone 301 is attached to the headphone terminal 112, theheadphone detection part 403 detects this attachment and inputscorresponding information in the main control part 111. In response tothis information, the main control part 111 makes control to output thereplayed music and the talking voice from the headphone 301. Thus, theoutput mode for the replayed music and the talking voice isautomatically decided with no manipulation of the key entry part 105.Thus, the portable telephone set according to the modification of thefourth embodiment is easier to handle.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable telephone set comprising: talkingmeans; and music replay means; for posting a call when receiving saidcall during music replay by said music replay means and for superposinga tone posting said call on replayed music in the process of said musicreplay by said music replay means when receiving said call during saidmusic replay by said music replay means; and volume control meanscontrolling the volume of said replayed music and the volume of saidtone posting said call, wherein said volume control means reduces thevolume of said replayed music when superposing said tone posting saidcall on said replayed music in the process of said music replay.
 2. Theportable telephone set according to claim 1, further comprisingtelephone number storage means storing telephone numbers, forsuperposing said tone posting said call on said replayed music in theprocess of said music replay by said music replay means when receivingsaid call from any of said telephone numbers stored in said telephonenumber storage means during said music replay by said music replaymeans.
 3. The portable telephone set according to claim 2, performing nocall processing when receiving said call from a telephone whose numberis not stored in said telephone number storage means during said musicreplay by said music replay means.
 4. The portable telephone setaccording to claim 1, further comprising: telephone number storage meansstoring telephone numbers, and call set means selecting/setting atelephone number authorized to call among said telephone numbersregistered in said telephone number storage means, for superposing saidtone posting said call on said replayed music in the process of saidmusic replay by said music replay means when receiving said call fromsaid telephone number authorized by said call set means to call duringsaid music replay by said music replay means.
 5. The portable telephoneset according to claim 4, performing no call processing when receivingsaid call from a telephone number not authorized by said call set meansto call during said music replay by said music replay means.
 6. Theportable telephone set according to claim 1, wherein said volume controlmeans gradually reduces the volume of said replayed music with theelapse of time when superposing said tone posting said call on saidreplayed music in the process of said music replay.
 7. The portabletelephone set according to claim 6, said volume control means graduallyreduces the volume of said replayed music with the elapse of time whilekeeping the volume of said tone posting said call constant whensuperposing said tone posting said call on said replayed music in theprocess of said music replay.
 8. The portable telephone set according toclaim 1, wherein said volume control means gradually increases thevolume of said tone posting said call with the elapse of time whensuperposing said tone posting said call on said replayed music in theprocess of said music replay.
 9. The portable telephone set according toclaim 1, not replaying said replayed music while making telephonecommunication through said talking means when answering to said call.10. The portable telephone set according to claim 1, further comprising:set means setting a call notice mode, for posting said call at least byvibration when receiving said call during said music replay by saidmusic replay means regardless of said call notice mode set by said setmeans.
 11. The portable telephone set according to claim 10, not givinga sound notice when said set means sets a notice mode including saidsound notice.
 12. The portable telephone set according to claim 11,wherein said sound notice includes at least a notice through a speakerof said talking means.
 13. The portable telephone set according to claim1, further comprising: set means setting a call notice mode, to becapable of switching a music priority mode for posting said call atleast by vibration when receiving said call during said music replay bysaid music replay means regardless of said call notice mode set by saidset means and a set priority mode for posting said call in accordancewith said call notice mode set by said set means when receiving saidcall during said music replay by said music replay means.
 14. Theportable telephone set according to claim 13, not giving a sound noticein said music priority mode when said set means sets a mode for saidsound notice.
 15. The portable telephone set according to claim 14,wherein said sound notice includes at least a notice through a speakerof said talking means.
 16. A portable telephone set, comprising: talkingmeans; and music replay means; for posting a call when receiving saidcall during music replay by said music replay means and for superposinga tone posting said call on replayed music in the process of said musicreplay by said music replay means when receiving said call during saidmusic replay by said music replay means; and volume control meanscontrolling the volume of said replayed music and the volume of saidtone posting said call; wherein said volume control means graduallyincreases the volume of said tone posting said call with the elapse oftime while keeping the volume of said replayed music constant whensuperposing said tone posting said call on said replayed music in theprocess of said music replay.
 17. The portable telephone set accordingto claim 16, further comprising: set means setting a call notice mode,for posting said call at least by vibration when receiving said callduring said music replay by said music replay means regardless of saidcall notice mode set by said set means.
 18. The portable telephone setaccording to claim 17, not giving a sound notice when said set meanssets a notice mode including said sound notice.
 19. The portabletelephone set according to claim 16, further comprising: set meanssetting a call notice mode, to be capable of switching a music prioritymode for posting said call at least by vibration when receiving saidcall during said music replay by said music replay means regardless ofsaid call notice mode set by said set means and a set priority mode forposting said call in accordance with said call notice mode set by saidset means when receiving said call during said music replay by saidmusic replay means.